Two-thirds of the cases of this disease emerged in people who had not gotten a measles inoculation. Nearly 23 percent of the 222 cases involved unvaccinated children whose parents obtained philosophical, religious or medical exceptions to avoid the shots that most states require in order for children to attend public school.

Liberal opt-out policies are a problem, especially in Colorado.

A 2011 survey put Colorado’s exemption rate at 7 percent — the second highest in the nation. We took a strong editorial stance about the need for the state to tighten up its vaccination exception policy, which still hasn’t happened.

As we said in the editorial:

Colorado is one of the few states that allows a personal exemption from “mandatory” vaccinations for public school attendance. No explanation is even necessary to opt out. State health experts tell us that is the main factor behind Colorado’s high exemption rate.

It’s a public health concern, and not a trivial one.

Measles is especially dangerous for children, and also for pregnant women, who can suffer miscarriage or early-term birth if they are infected.

Dangerous diseases can be beaten back for the safety of all, as we noted in this editorial about India’s progress in fighting polio. But that success can only be achieved if there is the political will to push back against the vaccine doubters who rely on anecdote and hysteria and not data and science.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.